Skeptics converge to take on religion and morality

[emad]

By CAROLYN THOMPSON
Associated Press Writer

October 27, 2005, 5:25 PM EDT


AMHERST, N.Y. -- With construction vehicles rumbling outside the window, Paul Kurtz said he had been assured work on his expanding offices would be complete in 48 hours.

"I don't believe in miracles _ at all, but ..." he smiled. An understatement if ever there was one.

Kurtz has made it his life's work to promote reason over religion, science over silliness.

On Thursday, the pre-eminent skeptic welcomed hundreds of scientists, academics and authors to a thinking person's conference at the Center for Inquiry he founded.

The Tenth World Congress, "Toward a New Enlightenment," was to respond to assaults on free inquiry that participants said threaten advances not only in science and medicine, but democracy itself.

"We are disturbed by the growth of antiscientific attitudes in the world, and particularly in the United States," Kurtz said.

http://www.nynewsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--skepticsconferenc1027oct27,0,1751271.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork

[skids]

1. Center for Inquiry?

Poor choice of a name, IMHO.

[really annoyed]

2. Why is that?

Just curious.